History of Insurance

From ancient Babylonian merchants protecting cargo shipments to modern companies insuring everything from celebrity body parts to space launches, insurance has a much stranger history than you might think. In this episode of Everyday History, we dive into the origins of insurance and uncover how humanity learned to share risk, survive disasters, and somehow turn catastrophes into a business model. Along the way, we explore shipwrecks, fires, plagues, Lloyd's famous coffee house, and some of the most bizarre policies ever written. You'll discover: How Babylonian traders created the first known insurance system nearly 4,000 years ago Why a London coffee shop became the center of the global insurance industry How the Great Fire of London transformed modern insurance The surprising origins of life insurance Some of the weirdest things people have tried to insure Whether you're fascinated by history, business, or just enjoy hearing stories about humanity preparing for the worst, this episode is packed with unexpected twists, strange facts, and a few questionable financial decisions. Because for thousands of years, one thing has remained true: something is always about to go wrong.